Prime Minister Hun Sen has said he considers Preah Sihanouk province’s governor-in-waiting Kuoch Chamroeun to be an “able man” who had vowed to find the cause of Saturday’s building collapse that killed 28 people and injured a further 26.

Chamroeun also promised to restore trust in the province’s infrastructure projects when he took office, scrutinising the main developments given the go-ahead by his predecessor.

Outgoing governor Yun Min was granted permission to resign from his post by the prime minister on Monday after the seven-storey building collapsed in Sihanoukville leaving many dead and injured.

In a royal decree on Monday, King Norodom Sihamoni approved the transfer of Kampong Cham provincial governor Chamroeun to take over in Preah Sihanouk province, while Min was moved to the Ministry of Interior.

Preah Vihear provincial governor Un Chanda is to replace Chamroeun in Kampong Cham province, while Svay Rieng deputy provincial governor Prak Sovann becomes Preah Vihear provincial governor.

On Monday night, after the search and rescue operation was announced over, the prime minister addressed reporters, hailing Chamroeun as the “able man” Preah Sihanouk province needs.

“Kuoch Chamroeun is an able man. He is a respected intellectual and well versed in provincial administrative work. He has worked in both Phnom Penh and the provinces. Preah Sihanouk province needs an able man like Kuoch Chamroeun,” Hun Sen said.

Chamroeun told The Post on Tuesday that being transferred from one place to another was nothing unusual for government officials who served the nation and its people.

He vowed to fulfil his tasks in line with the prime minister’s favourable assessment. “I will endeavour to serve the people and the nation to the best of my ability. I will do what is needed for our people to live in peace with prosperous livelihoods,” he said.

Chamroeun said his first priority was to ascertain the cause of the tragic seven-storey building collapse that caused widespread outcry.